Assistive Technology
on the Move
Assistive Technology applications continue to move toward portability for access anywhere at anytime. In March, several members of the CAP Team went to the California State University Northridge (CSUN) International Persons with Disabilities Conference in San Diego and explored some of the newest advances in accessible portable technologies. The following technology lists some of newer technologies that they found:
Interact AS: This software is designed to make interaction with individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing easier. It uses voice recognition technology to translate what is spoken into text, which is instantly displayed on a tablet PC. Anything typed or written using the stylus is converted to text and spoken out loud using text-to-speech technology. While not a replacement for a sign language interpreter or captioning, it eliminates the need to rely on paper and pencil or a keyboard to communicate.
This technology was initially designed as a tool to translate foreign languages. It was most recently used at the 2010 Winter Olympics. The software runs on Microsoft XP, VISTA or Windows 7. For more information visit www.speechgear.com/ pdf/Interact-AS.pdf
VoiceOver: Did you know that your iPhone 3GS can talk to you? Apple has embedded screen reading technology into their Snow Leopard Operating System and into the latest version of the iPhone. VoiceOver allows people who are blind to independently operate the touch screen incorporated into the iPhone and iTouch. Once it is turned on, the user simply slides their finger across the screen to hear the names of the applications. When the application or control is selected the user can tap twice anywhere on the screen to activate it. The VoiceOver feature can be found under Accessibility
within the general settings. For more information on how to use VoiceOver please visit: www.apple.com/accessibility/iphone/vision.html
Oratio: Finally text-to-speech technology is available for the BlackBerry. The Oratio software provides text to speech technology for the BlackBerry phone allowing people with visual impairments to access most functions of the device. Accessible functions include caller ID, contact lists, call log, scheduling of appointments, tasks and reminders, keyboard echo for text entry and partial, but not full access to the web browser. Currently the software is only supported on the BlackBerry Curve 8520 smartphone from AT&T. For more information please visit: www.humanware.com/en-usa/products/blindness
Swype is a new way to input text on a touch screen. Have you struggled with your touch screen keyboard on your mobile device? Swype has the potential to solve this problem for everyone whether you have a disability or not, showing how mainstream technology can help overcome obstacles caused by disabling conditions. Swype is a system of input that allows the user to slide their finger from one letter to the next without releasing.
The software predicts the most common words that can be created with the combination of keys you “swyped”. For example, the movement pictured in the image above would produce the word “quick”. Research has shown that this method of input is faster than most text entry options available including handwriting and “point and tap” Even beginning users have been able to reach 40 words per minute after a short period of training. Visit: www.swypeinc.com/product.html for a video and more information.
Madentec Inc. is also developing this technology as method of desktop and laptop computer access, for people with physical disabilities. Using an onscreen keyboard and touch screen with Swype software, users will be able to input text into their access computer using one finger, a stylus or even a head pointing device for hands-free access. Madentec Inc. (www.madentec.com/intro/) expects to release the software within the next few months.